Apparatus and method for analysing a solid specimen material

A method for analysing a solid sample material by means of laser ablation of particles of a solid sample material in a carrier liquid, comprising:

• providing the solid sample material and a layer of the carrier liquid which covers the solid sample material,
• irradiating the solid sample material with a laser beam in a manner such that a suspension of particles of the solid sample material and of the carrier liquid is produced,
• analysing the particles of the solid sample material, wherein the solid sample is in a sample holder in an ablation cell;
• supplying the carrier liquid to a liquid channel of the ablation cell;
• conveying the carrier liquid through the liquid channel of the ablation cell, wherein the particles of the solid sample material are ablated into the carrier liquid by irradiation with the laser beam;
• discharging the suspension of particles of the solid sample material and of the carrier liquid from the liquid channel of the ablation cell.

A device for analysing a solid sample material by means of laser ablation of particles of the solid sample material in a carrier liquid, comprising:

• a sample holder for positioning the solid sample material covered with the carrier liquid;
• a laser device for irradiating the solid sample material with a laser beam in a manner such that a suspension of particles of the solid sample material and of the carrier liquid can be produced,
• an analytical device for analysing the particles of the solid sample material, wherein the sample holder is in an ablation cell comprising a liquid channel for the carrier liquid and an entry window produced from a material that is transparent to the laser beam of the laser device, wherein the ablation cell comprises a housing with the liquid channel and the entry window, the ablation cell further comprising the sample holder, the sample holder being separate from the housing;
• a releasable connection for connecting the housing of the ablation cell to the solid sample material;
• a supply line to supply the carrier liquid to the liquid channel of the ablation cell, and
• a discharge line to discharge the suspension of particles of the solid sample material and of the carrier liquid from the liquid channel of the ablation cell to the analytical device.